Greater Anglia is reassuring customers that the railway is open for travel this Christmas despite engineering works taking place on the Norwich to London line.

Network Rail is carrying out engineering works from December 23 to January 1 between Shenfield and London Liverpool Street.

This means on the Norwich to London mainline, all train services will run as far as Ingatestone, from where passengers will have to use a replacement coach service to Newbury Park for tube services into London.

There is also disruption to services in West Anglia and on the Southend to London Victoria.

Greater Anglia has organised 750 buses to shuttle passengers from Ingatestone and Billericay and will have 600 additional staff on hand over 10 days to help and direct passengers.

The last train from Norwich to London on Christmas Eve departs at 7pm with the last train from London to Norwich leaves at 7.25pm.

Greater Anglia’s managing director, Jamie Burles, said: “We will make sure that customers can complete their journeys during all periods of engineering works, even if part of it is by bus.

“Our rail replacement bus service operates very smoothly, with extra staff on hand to direct customers to the right bus.

“These works are crucial if we are to get the modern railway we need in East Anglia and combined with the new trains we’re getting to replace every single train on our network, should lead to a transformed railway for us all.”

Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance, check Greater Anglia’s website, app or twitter account, pick up a leaflet or see posters at stations for amended services.

Network Rail is replacing overhead wires between Shenfield and Seven Kings. The wires and structures have been in place since the 1950s making them some of the oldest in the country.

It is hoped the upgrade them will mean fewer problems, such as sagging wires during hot weather, and fewer delays for passengers in the future.

The company is also continuing work on the new Elizabeth Crossrail line, which is due to open at the end of 2018 and will bring improved journeys into central London for passengers in the region.